Support system and method

ABSTRACT

Provided may be a modular support system for supporting structures and other loads, including, three or more support members, three or more load transferring elements configured to couple to one end of the three or more support members to form a support surface, and three or more coupling structures configured to couple to the opposite end of the three or more support members, wherein the system is configured to distribute a supported load about the three or more support members and three or more coupling structures.

BACKGROUND

The use of support frames or assemblies of the type referred to as “space frames” or “space framing” may be generally known and used in the construction of a variety of architectural and engineering structures.

The complexity of the various components used in forming the truss-like framework frequently may result in relatively high manufacturing and assembling costs. Therefore, the complexity of the various components may significantly limit the use of such structures. For these reasons, truss-like framing may be limited to the construction of hangars, or other buildings and structures designed to enclose a large space, wherein the cost is closely regulated, due to the space framing acting as a skeleton for the structure. Also, space framing may be known to be utilized in the construction of buildings, wherein the aesthetic and visual impact may be important and cost is a secondary consideration.

What is needed is a simple, modular frame that may be used to quickly and inexpensively provide support and structure for various uses, including supporting loads. Additionally, repetitive framework utilizing the various components thereof may be mass produced and easily and relatively inexpensively transported to a construction site where they may be assembled, is also needed. It has been advantageous that the small size and light-weight material of the large number of components comprising the support framework simplifies transportation, handling, and assembly.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments may be directed toward a beam support system which is designed for wide spread use in that it can be utilized to construct, both efficiently and economically, a large variety of substantially rigid, weight, and stress bearing structures, and particularly, those of the type incorporating a repeating three dimensional configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a beam system.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a beam system according to another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a beam system according to another exemplary embodiment

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

An exemplary embodiment of a modular support system is shown in FIG. 1, generally at 10. System 10 may include a plurality of support members 12, which may be coupled to a coupling structure 20. System 10 may further include load transferring elements 14 that may also couple to support members 12, and may further couple to each other to form a support surface 26.

Support members may be formed from an I-beam such as a metal, or could also be made from wood, such as 2×4s or 4×4s, and the like. With this configuration, when support is needed, a modular support system may be constructed quickly, easily and inexpensively, such as for temporary construction projects to support culverts, roads, bridges, other loads, and the like.

Coupling structure 20 may be configured to receive support members 12, and may also include a vertical coupling portion 22 that may be configured to couple to a somewhat vertical support member 12. Furthermore, coupling structure 20 may include a horizontal coupling portion that may be configured to couple to a generally horizontal support member 12. Support members 12 and coupling structures 20 may be coupled together via nails, screws, rivets, adhesives, interference fit, or other method, as desired. Support members 12 and coupling structures 20 may be coupled together via coupling means, such as nails, screws, rivets, adhesives, interference fit, or other methods and means, as desired. With this configuration support members may be precut such that they may all be the same or similar length so that they may be premade or configured before they are needed such that many may be transported to various locations where support structures may be needed.

Load transferring element 14 may include a platform portion 16 and may include a coupling portion 18. Coupling portion 18 may be configured to couple to support members 12, in ways discussed above in reference to vertical coupling portion 22. Load transferring elements 14 may couple together or may be adjacent each other such that the platform portions together form a support surface 26. Support surface 26 may be generally flat and level, so that structures such as pipes, culverts, aqueducts, and other loads and devices may be supported, as needed. This configuration may allow for a support system to be utilized very quickly, inexpensively, and efficiently where temporary or permanent support structures are needed. For additional stability coupling structures may be anchored, as needed, to the ground or other stabilizing formation, structure or apparatus. Furthermore, this configuration transfers the load to the support members such that it will support many times its own weight, safely and efficiently.

Although, three horizontal support members are shown, it will be appreciated that other numbers of generally horizontal support members may be utilized as desired. Furthermore, although three generally vertical support members are shown, other numbers may be utilized as desired. It will be appreciated that three generally vertical support members form a self-standing structure such that large loads may be supported. Furthermore, many of these systems may be stacked upon another system, if desired. Yet further, many of these systems may be utilized to provide load support for very large, long or odd sized loads. Additionally these systems may manufactured and/or designed to be scaled up or down is size to support very large, or very small loads. Further, they may be configured with different lengths and sizes of components for different uses, as desired.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the embodiment from FIG. 1. Again system 10 may include support members 12, load transferring elements 14, and coupling structures 20. Coupling structures 20 may include a vertical coupling portion 22 and a horizontal coupling portion 24. Horizontal coupling portion 24 may be configured to receive, and may be coupled to, an I-beam shaped support structure 12. In this manner the generally horizontal support members may not need to be coupled to coupling structure 20 with nails, rivets, bolts, adhesives, etc. The support member 12 may engage coupling structure 20 such that an interference fit or other type of fit is achieved.

Load transferring elements 14 may be adjacent to each other and may couple to each other. Alternatively, the force of the load exerted upon the platform portions 16 of load transferring elements 14 may force them together such that they may move very slightly or not at all when a load is subjected to system 10.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a modular support system, generally at 30. In this embodiment, four generally vertical support members 12 are utilized as well as four generally horizontal support members 12 are utilized. Furthermore, this system includes four coupling structures 40 that are configured slightly differently than the coupling structures described above. The outside angle formed by the coupling structure may be greater such that they are configured to couple to four support members 12 instead of three, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

Furthermore, system 30 may also include load transferring elements 34 which will have a slightly different configuration than the load transferring elements as described above. Again load transferring elements 34 will be configured to be adjacent to each other and/or coupled to each other such that a support surface 42 is formed by platform portions 36. With this configuration, the load will be transferred to more support members and other elements of the system which may enable the system to support more weight and force exerted upon the system at the support surface 42.

It will be appreciated that any number of systems may be utilized together to support a wide variety of structures and devices, as desired. Again the elements of this system may be prefabricated such that many of them may be made at one time to decrease the cost of the system. Furthermore, many elements may be transported easily to areas where they are needed. This may allow systems to be less expensive and more modular to increase the ease of use of the elements and systems. It will be appreciated that this modular support system may be utilized for quick and easy deployment of platforms and other systems and structures in areas where other support structures may not be practicable or useable. Additionally, this system may be disassembled and reused, as desired.

Another modular support system according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, generally at 10. In this embodiment, system 10 may not include support members 12 that are generally horizontal. In this system, there may be only three support members 12, which may have three corresponding load transferring elements 14 and three coupling structures 50. In this embodiment, the coupling structures may contact a surface that would support the entire system, as well as what ever structure or device that contacts the system at support surface 26. In this manner the load may be transmitted to the support members 12, coupling structures 50, and to the support surface that is contacting the coupling structures 20 such that a larger load may be supported, as desired.

Again coupling structure 50 may include a vertical portion 22 that is coupled to one end of support member 12. It will be appreciated that coupling structure 50 may or may not include a horizontal coupling portion if it is to be used without a horizontal support member. The other end of support member 12 may be coupled to load transferring element via coupling portion 18, as described above. Again load transferring elements 14 may be adjacent to each other and may remain in contact with each other due to the configuration of the system or the load placed upon the support surface 26. Alternatively, load transferring elements 14 may be coupled together via adhesives, bolts, nails, screws, or other coupling means, as desired.

With this embodiment even less elements may be needed, therefore reducing the complexity and cost of the system, where needed. It will be appreciated that although three and four generally vertical support members 12 have been shown in the various embodiments, any number may be utilized to increase the amount of load that is able to be supported, as desired. It will also be appreciated that this modular support system may be utilized in other areas where other support systems may not be useable due to unstable surfaces, including deserts, very wet areas, or other areas. Furthermore, this system may be quickly and inexpensively assembled and disassembled and reused as needed.

This system may be a solution for temporary construction support. The wide base may make the structure more stable than current structures and therefore may be safer. This system and configuration may be beneficial in earthquake zones or where the ground or other supporting surface is not stable. Some of the advantages of this system may include quick set-up and take down of the modular structure. This system may also be temporary and may be taken down and utilized again in another area.

This system may elevate a platform or other supported structure such that it will have minimal effects on animal migration and other movement beneath the supported system. Other applications may include support and structure for oil wells, on land and in marsh or shallow water. The system may be utilized to support water pumps and water towers, and pipelines. Further applications may include temporary support of structures after a disaster, including earthquakes and explosions, or temporary support of bridges under construction. Furthermore, this system may be used in conjunction with other structures and devices, such as Kevlar-type materials and armor, to provide barriers to stop vehicles and ballistics. This system may also be used for crane and utilities support.

The coupling structures 50 may be made from cast metal, aluminum, machined block, composites or other materials and configurations, as desired. The support members 12 may be made of extruded aluminum, steel, wood beams, wood studs, composites or other materials and configurations, as desired. Furthermore support members may be made in the form of an I-beam, as desired.

In the systems where I-beams may be used, longitudinal stiffeners may be utilized along the beam lengths to increase the load that is able to be supported as well as increasing the overall stability of the system to outside forces, such as earthquakes, or when the system may be hit by an outside force, such as with a vehicle or other force.

It will be appreciated that the support members may not have to be the same length as shown in the drawings. If different beam lengths were utilized, different geometries for the load transferring elements and coupling structures 20 could be utilized. Furthermore, these elements may be clamped together as well as coupled by adhesives, nails, bolts, etc.

Certain recognized advantages of space frame construction may include a substantially equal distribution of loads and stresses throughout the formed structure, as well as the ability to take advantage of the normally light-weight and high strength material from which such support frame assemblies are formed.

When a frame support assembly is incorporated in the construction of various buildings or other structures, the above set forth characteristics are achieved through the use of a plurality of components, which in general are used repetitively to achieve a triangulated geometry that is normally presented in a predetermined, three dimensional, reticulated, truss-like framework. The resulting framework may be generally defined by a plurality of interconnected struts normally joined or attached to one another at appropriate points, and collectively arranged to produce the intended resulting structure.

In closing, it is to be understood that the exemplary embodiments described herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by the way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the drawings and description are illustrative and not meant to be a limitation thereof. 

1-22. (canceled)
 23. A modular support system for supporting structures and other downward loads comprising: three or more support members; three or more load transferring elements configured to couple to one end of said three or more support members and to nest together and form a planar support surface; and, three or more coupling structures configured to couple to the opposite end of said three or more support members; whereby the system can be assembled together and used to distribute a load applied against the planar support surface about the system.
 24. The modular support system of claim 23 further comprising three or more additional support elements coupled between said coupling structures.
 25. The modular support system of claim 24 wherein said support elements are metal beams.
 26. The modular support system of claim 23 further comprising fastening means for connecting said load transfer elements to said support members.
 27. The modular support system of claim 23 wherein three support members are used and assembled into a tripod configuration.
 28. The modular support system of claim 23 wherein four support members are used and assembled into a quadrapod configuration.
 29. The modular support system of claim 23 wherein the length of the support members is approximately 12 meters. 30-34. (canceled)
 35. The modular support system of claim 23 wherein the load transferring elements are configured such that upon being nested together a central opening is formed in the planar support surface. 